Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Northwest Nazarene University

Multi-/interdisciplinary studies degrees often face skepticism, but comparable programs nationwide suggest this path produces modest early earnings of around $35,000—roughly in line with both national and Idaho medians for this field. At Northwest Nazarene, where estimated debt of $26,500 would result in a 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio, the financial picture looks marginally manageable but hardly compelling. Similar Idaho programs show a range from low-$30,000s to high-$30,000s in first-year earnings, placing this estimate squarely in the middle of what students might expect.

The challenge here isn't catastrophic debt—$26,500 is reasonable for a bachelor's degree—but rather that interdisciplinary studies graduates typically don't see the earning power that justifies even moderate borrowing. The broad, flexible nature of these programs can serve students with clear career plans or those headed to graduate school, but the earnings trajectory for those entering the workforce directly tends to be flat. Your child would need a compelling reason to pursue this particular major—perhaps combining it with specific skills, internships, or a professional network—rather than viewing the degree itself as the investment.

Given that all figures here are estimates based on peer programs, not Northwest Nazarene's actual outcomes, your decision should weigh the specific opportunities this interdisciplinary program offers: What concentrations are available? What career services exist? For a field where the degree itself doesn't command premium wages, the surrounding resources and your child's specific plan matter more than the credentials alone.